Balancing Humility and Boundaries

Let’s have a chat about mindfulness and embodiment in the context of teaching Ashtanga yoga, shall we? It’s not just for the trendy wellness folks who have too much money to spend on “mindful” everything. No, Jon Kabat-Zinn has a word or two about mindfulness, and it’s about focusing on the here and now, minus the judgment. Trust me, you’ll need it if you’re going to handle a group of headstand-happy yogis.

First things first: if you’re going to connect with students, try connecting to yourself first, would ya? Self-awareness is not just an Instagram hashtag. Students aren’t some amorphous blob – they’re unique, delightful entities, each ready to challenge your peace. Teaching with genuine love and compassion comes from this awareness, people!

But hey, let’s also address the elephant in the yoga studio: the self-criticism. Teachers can be their own worst critics. If encouragement for students to drop judgment and competition sounds familiar, maybe do the same for yourself, okay? Teaching yoga is a never-ending journey – your enlightenment doesn’t come with a certificate. Improve those anatomy skills and cueing techniques, for goodness’ sake, and create a highly engaging learning space.

Humility and honesty are up next. Acknowledge when you foul up – it won’t kill you, promise. An authentic classroom where mistakes are human makes for a great learning environment. Let’s be real, embracing each student’s uniqueness while keeping our impositions in check is where growth happens. No preset expectations mean fewer unconscious biases, which can really cramp a student’s journey.

So, what about those uncharted waters of expertise? Tempted to wing it? Don’t. Suggest students seek advice from those who really know what they’re talking about. It’ll save them the hassle and you the embarrassment.

When dealing with a distracting student, reflect before reacting. Weigh if the disruption wrecks the atmosphere and strategize your intervention accordingly. Tact, people, tact.

And about Savasana, for the love of tranquility, finish class on time. If students have to bounce early, instruct them to scoot before Savasana takes the stage – it preserves the peace of this calming pose for everyone else.

To sum up, inject mindfulness, humility, and adept communication into your teaching practice. Embrace your vulnerability, respect your students’ paths, and cultivate an exploratory culture in your classes. If you need more wisdom, hop onto this guide here.